Identity and Diversity Pupil Summit: Growing Future Leaders. 6 February 2024

We were delighted to host this wonderful day at Chelmsford Cathedral, which brought together future leaders from 11 of our Diocesan schools, to explore different leadership styles and models through discussion, reflection- and a series of very loud and joyful drumming workshops!

This day was all about empowering children to recognise their strength and skills in being effective leaders. It was a day for challenging stereotypes, recognising and celebrating good leadership and valuing teamwork and the power of encouragement and collaboration. We were thrilled to see the children in our Diocese working together and growing in confidence over the day- to take on the mantle of being ‘upstanders not bystanders’.

We had some fabulous feedback from the children and adults who came along for this day of working together, building leadership skills and recognising the difference that can be made – here are just a few of the comments received from our future leaders -

‘I’ve learnt that life is like a puzzle – and it helps to have a good leader to put all the pieces together.’
‘I’ve learnt that it is important to value the people around you – even if they’re strangers.’
‘I’ve learnt it’s not hard to check if people are OK’.
‘I’ve learnt that I can be a great leader, no matter who I am!’

-and from their school adults –

‘It has been great to work with other children and schools from across the Diocese – it enabled our children to realise how diverse our Diocese is and to collaborate. The day was inclusive and creative for everyone.’
‘Our children feel they have the capacity to make a difference…I have been impressed with the insight and maturity of all of our young people today- what an excellent opportunity – thank you!

A huge thank you to Aleishia Lewis and Marc Cecil, for leading this very special day – and to Andrew Withams from Southend Music Hub, for his support in helping to fund this event.

Julie Sarti - Schools Adviser and organiser